I went out for a few hours on New Year’s Day to scout locations for my upcoming gull class. The weather was freakishly sunny for a January day in the Portland area.

The only gull flock I found was at Amberglen office park in Hillsboro. Most were Ring-billed Gulls. Here is a first cycle Ring-billed with an adult. As you can see, I am totally incapable of getting a good photo of white birds in bright sunlight.

adult Ring-billed Gull

These two Mew Gulls were looking very petite among the larger species.

A couple of Hooded Mergansers were swimming near the fountain.

Common Merganser

Ring-necked Duck

Finally, a bird that doesn’t have a lot of white. This Mallard was looking gorgeous in the bright sun.